The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-11
WASHINGTON LETTER



wAsHINeroN. D. c., Feb. Z, 1887.
Congress is working away these days
as though it realized the shortness of
its life and the necessity of accomplish
ing much before the fourth of March.
Various questions have been discussed
in both the Senate and House during
the past week, some important meas
ures have been passed, and others have
become laws by receiving the Presi-
dents signature.
The Beck bill as passed makes it un-
lawful for any Senator or Representa-
tive to accept employment as attorney
at law or payment for services of any
kind in opposition to the United States
in any case in which its interests may
be concerned. Any member of either
house of Congress who violates the
provisions of this act may be punished
by imprisonment not exceeding $500,
or by both.
MIR. Evarts went so far as to say
that those lawyers in the Senate who
would vote for such bill would make
the imputation against their profess
ion that lawyers were class to be
taken out from the rest of the commu-
nifty, for fear they might be drawn
over the line of their duty. The right
of citizens was to be Invaded because
honest employment might lead to
criminality.
The willy Senator wanted to know
if the apothecarys shop should be sup
pressed because poison was dealt out
from it, and though, in order to be con.
sistent, they should make a law forbid.
ing members Of Congress from taking
any fee. AS to the talk about "selv.
ing two masters" he asked whether
Senators were doing that when, as
lawyers, they served the dignity and
advantage of the law and the protec-
ton of the community, and when, as
Senators, they did their duty under
their obligations.
ALI of Mr.. Evarts logic was lost
upon the Senate however, and refused
by vote of nearly three to one.
The Presidents approval of the Inter-
CldlC SOlumClCC was III luli 6CCOIu
with the opinion of Attorney General
Garland, and with the views of the en-
tire Cabinet. The next question is,
who get to serve their country as COM
missioners under the new law and
against railroad corporations. Among
two or three scores of candidates, Col.
Morrison is oftenest mentioned as one
of the number which will be appointed.
He is quoted as saying lately that 1t is
the only position under the Govern
ment which he desires.
Representative Reagan, who will
come to the United States Senate next
year as the successor of Mr.. Maxy, of
Texas, has long been Unidentified with
the Inter State Commerce bill. He has
contended for this legislation for many
years, and his election may be accept
ed as an Endorsement of his course.
Judge Reagan, as tine Senator elect is
called, is man of indefatigable indus
try, an assiduous representative of the
interests of his constituents, and is sure
to make good record in the Senate.
He is well known in Washington, hav-
ing served four years in Congress be-
fore the war, and nearly twelve years
since the war. Daring the war he was
Postmaster General of the Southern
Confederacy.
The question of temperance has been
creditably solved for herself by the
mistress of the White House. When
the Diplomatic Corps sat down to the
Presidents dinner of state a few eve-
nings ago, eight wine-glasses stood at
every plate but that OF Mrs. Cleveland
she took only water. This was not
criticism of the taste of her guests, but
only an assertion OF her own preference.
1t defined her personal status, and it
discharged her official duty.
1t was a fine reply that Elk Lieut..
Gov. Brockmeier of Missouri IL made,
when asked why he did not call on
President Cleveland Said he, II don't
think there is buster man in the
country than the President, and as he
has little enough time of his own, l
don't think have a right to infringe
on it. have no personal acquaintance
with him, and of course he can have
no desire to see me. My Congressman
proposed 20 take me to call on him,
but l didn't care to take up half an
hour of his time in the day that would
have to be atoned for at night" If
more of the prominent men who visit
Washington so fully realized the value
of the Presidents time, it would be
gratefully appreciated by him.